THE FAMILY FUTURE

Portland Graduation

2011-05-29T19:00:00.015-06:00

Our weekend spent in Forest Grove and with Randy and Katie for graduation was really great!

After a very long night drive, we rested up at Randy's apartment and then ventured out to the Seaside beach with Leo the puppy (latest addition to the family).

We also ventured down to Haystack Rock where we had fun playing around and getting wet in the tide pools.

Saturday was the graduation ceremony. The weather was threatening rain, but ended up being bright and sunny during the outside proceedings. A very enjoyable day!

So very proud of Randy and his accomplishment. Can't wait to see where he will go next.
Randy is fortunate to have the support of his family but even more blessed to have the support of Katie's awesome family.

Our fun did not end with the graduation. We went on into Portland for the evening and enjoyed shopping at the Saturday market and visited the famous Powell's Bookstore.

Then Randy took us to one of his favorite restaurants "Fire On The Mountain" for hot spicy wings. We had tons of fun watching Chris and Randy cry there way through the real hot ones!

The only bad thing about the trip was that it didn't last long enough and that Chris got sick with Strep.

Family past

2011-05-24T20:38:00.002-06:00

Mom, this blog is more
like the family past, because
this hasnt been written
on sence who knows when...
So here i am, making a new post.

Stranger in the Mirror

2011-01-09T23:13:00.005-07:00

Well I hate to say it but I became painfully aware of something this week. I was quite shocked to realize it, I was, in fact heart broken.

I awoke the other morning and started my morning routine. To my surprise when looked in the mirror, I didn't recognize the stranger staring back at me. I'm sure I was not seeing clearly, so I grabbed my glasses and looked again. Some stranger proceeded to taunt me. I stared into her weary eyes and glared at her wrinkled face. I even poked at her sagging cheeks and gave her a drawn out frown. Who was this old woman mocking me? Surely it was not my reflection that I was seeing; I did not look that old! Definitely age had not caught up with me just overnight!

My heart sank as I realized I have never clearly seen my physical self. My mind’s eye always saw me as relatively younger than my age. I hoped age would not catch me and so I have view myself as I use to be.

I left the mirror that morning, putting on a smile and deciding that my mind’s eye was what I preferred to see. I left that old stranger to taunt someone else!

Christmas At Our House

2011-01-02T20:36:00.009-07:00

The holiday season at our house was very wonderful this year. We scaled down the gift giving and tried to do more activities together. Because the younger three were with their father the first part of the holiday, most of our activities took place after Christmas. We enjoyed an early morning brunch after Katie and Randy got in town. We spent a day shopping the after Christmas sales. We went ice skating one afternoon and went out to dinner at Goodwood BBQ the following evening. Chris went snowboarding with Katie, Randy and some of the other Wilsons, while Lizzie went snowboarding with a couple friends. All in all I have to say, we had a great time!

First Date, First Dance

2010-10-17T15:13:00.008-06:00

Chris got asked to his first dance, Sadie Hawkin's, which also happened to be his first date! All of us girls at home were extremely excited for this big event and forced Chris to open the canister of goldfish in front of us so we could see who it was. We screamed and yelled with lots of joy, while Chris rolled his eyes at all the drama.

Well we all know that the most important part is of this high school ritual is how you respond. It has to be a very cute and clever way. After many suggestions and lots of input from his sisters, Chris decided to buy a real goldfish, place it in a fish bowl and respond with a poster that stated "You got me hook, line and sinker!" The poster included a bobber with a cute drawing of a fish and fishing pole. A couple of days later the answer was delivered to her front door.

In all the excitement and ritual of giving the answer, mom totally forgot to ask, "When is the dance?" "What!! We are gone that weekend." "You mean you would pick a girl over your mother's trip back to her home town!"

Looks like they had a great day date at the lake!

Hopefully, mom will get to see all the pictures of the dance.

I can't believe I missed this important event!

Memories....

2010-10-01T00:22:00.005-06:00

I went for a walk back in time, and although everything had added a few years to itself, my mind wandered the streets of my childhood and saw things as they use to be. Memories of former years rushed through my head.

As I drove up to my Healdsburg home that housed me most of my childhood years, I could almost see my brothers and sisters running through the front yard pulling the seeds from the birch tree and throwing them at each other. I felt the warm California sun on my arms and immediately images of young children laying in Sunday slips hidden in the courtyard flooded into view. I could almost smell the sap of the tall pine tree by the driveway where we hid under its branches in play and I had visions of us roller skating down the sidewalks in our pretend roller rink. I thought I heard mother calling us home as she stood in her long "moo-moo" at the sliding glass doors.

The past came back, the small town streets I could hardly remember became so familiar and I drove them as if I had never left. I took Kiyomi, Elizabeth and Hannah on a tour of my long ago neighborhood. We drove to my elementary school, the junior high and the high school; those places that I learned some of life's toughest lessons about friendships, standards and morals. It is a shame that I could not tell every experience that so freely filled my mind.

Prehaps most treasured to me was the hour we spent in my church. My church because we built it, section by section. My church because I cleaned it weekly with my father who was the custodian. My church because so much of my time was spent in those walls attending seminary, mutaul and being present while mother served as primary president, and catering queen. Sunday morning when the girls and I arrived at this building so dear to me, the image of the Pearl children, my sisters and I running through the open field of California poppies and mountain lupines replaced the parking lot I drove on. I reverently walked to the building and opened the glass doors to the foyer, I hoped that maybe after 25 years someone I recognized would be at church that morning.

My heart leaped as I saw Sister Pearl and Bishop Pearl. Their frail bodys were not like I remembered this dynamit couple. While Sister Pearl served in many callings I remember her most as the ward chorister, my young women leader and camp director. What love filled my heart for all the things she taught me. The Mortenson family, sat in the chapel benches too. What great memories of them and there children I have, working on catering projects. sleep overs and ward events. And there was Sister Tarter, the seminary teacher and Paul LeBrett. I had a lot to be grateful for.

First Day of School

2010-10-01T00:20:00.006-06:00

They all grow up so fast.

Look the other way for a second and before you know it they are out of the house. It's hard to believe that the days of childhood innocence are gone and adulthood is just around the corner.

Christopher 16, Junior at PG High

Elizabeth 14, 9th grade PG Jr High

Hannah 11, 6th grade Manilla Elem

Summer Is Gone

2010-08-22T18:25:00.007-06:00

After a seven hour school shopping marathon yesterday, I painfully realized that summer is over in just a day or two. Why did it go so fast? It seems like last month I was questioning whether or not I was going to survive. Now I can't believe it is over. Can we invent the DVR for life so I can rewind or at least pause and remember the good things?

The Good Things from Summer 2010

We had a great camping trip at Gooseberry Lake up Fairview canyon with our neighborhood friends the Crimans, Daniels, Farrers, Wrights, Hursts and we even saw the Freemans who were camping there.

Mom finally got the garden in in June.

Randy and Chris spent time again together in Oregon after which Chris went to EFY for his second year.

We spent time in California with all the cousins for the fourth of July.

Lizzy attended her first EFY at Rexburg, ID.

Chris finished his Eagle Project, which means Chris got his driver's license.

Chris when to lake Yuba with the teachers and had a great time kneeboarding and tubing.

Lizzy had an awesome time at girls camp.

Mom made her first apple pie in a dutch oven.

The Farrers and the Wrights gave us there torn out sod to lay under the willow tree.

And I think all the kids grew 6 inches.

4th of July

2010-07-09T21:04:00.012-06:00

What could be a better 4th of July

than

HANGING AT THE BEACH

SWIMMING

SUNBURNS

ROLLER COASTERS

AND
COUSINS!!

Catch Up

2010-06-21T00:29:00.008-06:00

I guess it's time for an update. I haven't been into blogging the past few months,time just slipped by. Anyways, we have been busy.

We went on a week long vacation with Washington DC and Lexington VA. It was so nice to get away. This is a trip we had planned and prepared for for a long time! It was just great to be together with family and relax. But most importantly, it was great to see Kiyomi graduate from Washington and Lee Law School. I was so proud to see her cross the stage in her gowns. We enjoyed all the sites in DC, well not all the sites but the ones that were important on our list. Unfortunately, the last two days of the vacation, I came down with a high fever in the evenings and was totally exhausted.

I thought the fevers would pass if I just came home and rested awhile. After two days of sleep and no improvement I went to the doctor and found out I was down with phenomena. I didn't have time for phenomena! Ben was turning 21 and getting married in a week and Chris was turning 16 just after that. Not to mention school was ending and we had recitals and camp coming too.

Thanks to sisters in the ward and my own sisters, we wrapped up a beautiful wedding. Dalynda did the flowers and helped me with the food, Denell decorated an amazing cake and Deone, Daneen and Donna were in the rears setting up, cleaning up, and putting up with me. The rehearsal dinner was a lot of fun at "Fat Cats". We had a great time bowling and enjoying the evening. And the wedding the next evening was just wonderful. Ben and Cassidy, best wishes to you.

Next we had Hannah's annual dance festival at Manilla and then Chris and Elizabeth had their first ballroom recital. They are both just beginning but loving the sport.

Chris turned the big "16" on May 31st. We had a family dinner on Sunday to celebrate but the big celebration was a surprise party with Tennison and Tanner who both turn sixteen this year too. It was a surprise all up until the last moment when Chris showed up earlier than anticipated. I was bringing the ice cream over to the Lowery's home when he showed up. I just had him grab a cooler and come right in. I think he was a little surprised when he figured out that he was coming to his own birthday party and a little awkward that he showed before his guest and the other birthday boys. So I sent him away and told him I would call him when Tennison and Tanner came and he would have to look surprised. It was a fun party!

Elizabeth's birthday was celebrated with a sleep over at the Miner's Club in Park City. We had a blast swimming, soaking in the hot tub and eating tons of food. Once again it was just fun to hang out with the family.

Once again we missed out on Kiyomi's birthday as she is still in Lexington. However we heard she a had a cake bake off and ended up with several amazing cakes and lots of leftover cake for the weeks to come.

Well if Kiyomi and Lizzy had their birthdays, that means its June and I had a birthday too. Yeah, this was the big 50 birthday for mom. I just knew I would not be able to get out of bed at the age of fifty but the morning of June 14 came and I made it up with no problem. It didn't seem so bad after all. We celebrated by going to the concert in the park after work and Molly making me dinner. A few days later Denell, Challin, and Jillyn took me out to dinner at "The Olive Garden". Denell was pretty insistent that I do something spectacular for my 50th, so she took me up to "I Fly" and I went indoor skydiving. WOW! How fun! How scary!

Hannah took of to Clear Creek camp just after school let out. She was excited to be going to camp by herself and terrified at the same time. It was a great experience for her and she came home with lots of stories to tell us.

Summer has started I guess, the weather isn't quite up to summer, we're having a great deal of rain, but we're enjoying it. Our garden could use a little more sun though, it seems to be growing at a very slow rate.

Just not enough

2010-03-14T22:34:00.003-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you had a large list of good tasks to accomplish and never got to them? One of which would be getting caught up on your blog that has been untouched for 3 months.

Well that is what I am facing as I try to close out what was suppose to be a wonderful day of accomplishments. I set aside the list of brilliant ideas to get done today with the intent to pick it up just as soon as....well things got in the way. So I find myself frustrated in the last moments of the day doing the important things like having family devotion,and reading to an eleven year old that just needs time with mom, and consoling a thirteen year old that had a horrible weekend and feels like the week ahead is going to be even worse, and finding a bedtime snack for hungry children and picking up the living room and not doing the good things that I really wanted to do. Well there just is not enough time to do everything.

Santa's Helper

2010-01-03T22:14:00.004-07:00

Manila Choir Christmas Concert

2010-01-03T15:40:00.004-07:00

Hannah and her friends sang again this year in the Manila Choir. She loves to be with her friend. This year she mustard up the courage to try out for one of the solo parts in "A Song of Peace". This really was a big deal and triumph for her shyness. I am proud she auditioned. Her best friend Janna won the spot and did a outstanding performance.

Hannah's Birthday Party

2010-01-03T15:31:00.004-07:00

Christmas Tree Festival

2010-01-03T15:27:00.002-07:00

We made it to the Christmas Tree Festival this year. After missing a few year in a row, it was really fun to enjoy this tradition again. Daniel's family joined us.

HALLOWEEN 2009

2009-11-01T22:04:00.013-07:00

Halloween was really fun this year. We started with carving pumkins, then moved on to making pizza before dressing and going out.

Hannah had great fun with her friends.

Hannah dressed as the Great Pumkin

Kendrey, Brooklyn, Hannah, Emily and Janna all went tick-or treating throughout the neighborhood and gathered enough candy to last til Christmas. At eight o'clock Delanie joined us and I drove the girls over to house that gives away the giant candy bars! The night ended at Janna's home trading candy.

Lizzy dressed as a doll and really enjoyed her friends too. She took off and did whatever Jr. High girls do.

We think Chris had great fun but we never saw him. Once again he hung out with the youth at the bishop's home watching scary movies and drinking hot chocolate.

I Have Incredible Sisters

2009-11-01T22:01:00.007-07:00

I have seven incredible sisters that are amoung my greatest treasures in life. Yet so often as I hurry through my busy life, I forget how amazing they are. I think wonderful things about these ordinary girls who grew up together. We had nothing more than the mundane life of pulling endless rows of weeds and boring household jobs after school, mixed with baby diapers and tending one other. We went to school and church with each other, grew up and left for college and lives of our own and somehow turned out to have implausible talents and impeccable character.

I don't think I comprehended as a innocent young child how lining up for the sister's photo would have such deep meaning for me in my later years. I look at our sweet faces below and realized that we were meant to be next to each other.

Conference Thoughts and Notes

2009-10-04T21:35:00.005-06:00

Love
Love your wayward children and the tentacles of God's love will eventually reach out and touch them
Past
Reviewing the lessons of the past help us face the future
Virtue
Virtuous trait should not be forgotten
Patience
Patience and perseverance are part of our progression
Service
What did you do for someone today?
Book of Mormon
"Are the words of Christ and they teach men to do good"
Charity
We are stewards, we are accountable--be diligent
Spiritual Hearts
Do not be casual about the seemingly simple things of the gospel
Repentance
Easiness and willingness to hear the word of God comes from repentance and keeping the commandments

First Day of School

2009-08-30T11:22:00.005-06:00

School has started here at our home. The girls are excited to be back with all their friends, however, Chris is not too excited about tackling Algebra II and Physics this year.

Christopher - High School -10th grade

Elizabeth - Jr. High - 8th grade

Hannah - Elementary - 5th grade

Washington Lake Campout

2009-08-09T22:29:00.010-06:00

Washington Lake camp was the best camp out of the year, unfortunately it does signify that summer is now winding down and it is time to put away the camp gear and start preparing for school. Highlights of this trip for me were:

1. The Sunday buffet -- this included roasted turkey, spiral ham, grilled pork loins, 2 kinds of soup, green been casserole, yummy yummy dutch oven potatoes, a vegetable medley that was to die for, several green salads, corn on the cob, fresh baked dutch oven rolls and the list goes on. Oh I didn't mention the dessert, there was plenty of that too, fried donuts, homemade cherry pie, chocolate goo brownies and a variety of dutch oven cobblers.

2. The copper pipe fire -- while others have seen this display before from Justin Allred's handmade copper pipes and rubber hose, I had not. The display was blast of brilliant colorful fire spiking from the fire pit. Amazing!

3. The trip to Provo falls -- can't describe how fun it is to see the kids and youth enjoying themselves in the water. It reminded me of my childhood camping trips playing in the water with cousins and sisters. I remember one camping trip on a river where my mother decided to ride the camping mattress down the small rapids, it popped halfway down. She got scraped on the rocks but it was rather funny.

4. Sunday school -- we don't usually camp on Sundays but it worked out that way this time because all the Fridays and Saturdays for the group sites had already been reserved before we made our reservations in January. Sunday turned out to be a special time for me as I read scriptures with Chris and Lizzy in the tent (Hannah ventured down to church in Kamas with the Hurst family). Nothing new, we read all the time, but this time Lizzy really participated and even though she was only required to read 3 verses each time the book was passed she read pages at a time. I was touched to hear her read and in my heart was praying that it was blessing her testimony. Lori prepared pioneer bingo for all of us in camp to play complete with prizes and buffalo chips for treats. We also shared a couple pioneer stories.

Here are several pictures of the friends I dearly love. It is wonderful to be surrounded by so many truly amazing people. I know I would never venture out on these camp outs by myself, in fact I wouldn't survive with out their matches, tongs, dishwater, grills and all the other things that didn't make it into my camp supplies.

Chris hang out with Kevin, the teens and the younger boys too. My favorite time with him was watching him, Kevin, Jeffery, McKay and Lizzy try to balance on these styrofoam filled pipes at the other end of the lake. They tried over and over again to cross the pipes only to be flip into the water when they lost their balance. We had some good laughs. It was much harder than it looks so they said.

Lizzy didn't have any one her age at camp and found it hard to hang out with the girls that were older than her, but she made do and did a lot of fun things for the younger children and was often found holding the babies. I admire her kindness for the little children.

Hannah loves to camp and really really enjoyed the non-stop interaction with her best friend. She didn't even sleep in the tent with us but opted to sleep in the back of a suburban with Janna.

Froggy Goes Home

2009-08-09T21:39:00.007-06:00

His name is "Squishy no-name", a western tree frog that has been living in our home for a year now. Hannah captured Squishy no-name last year during the Washington lake campout and learned just how hard it was to tend to a frog.

Today, August 2, 2009, he is being released back into the wild a little bigger and quite healthly.
Frog catching is a highlight of our annual Washington lake trip. And Hannah succefully caught five more frogs but not once did she ask if she could keep them. She was very happy to let them go after she enjoyed the capture.

Hannah's hair cut

2009-08-09T20:38:00.005-06:00

Hannah and Janna (Hannah's best friend) started the summer with long hair and wore it in french braids during our first camp out in June. Hannah had wanted to cut her hair about the time school was winding up in May but I was against it feeling that summer would be much easier in braids and pony tails. After some debate I consented to let her cut her hair before school started in the fall.

However, before June even ended, Janna cut her beautiful long red hair and donated it to "Locks of Love". Hannah begged me all day to take her to get her hair cut. She wanted it just like Janna's. It just couldn't be done. By evening, determined that her hair should be cut this very day, she asked Janna to come over and be a model for me so that I could attempt cutting her hair. I couldn't believe that she wanted it so bad that she would trust me to take the scissors to her gorgeous satin hair. I have trimmed the girls hair before and I am fairly good at cutting the boys hair but I have never attempted a cute little bob with a wedge in the back.

We got started about 9:30 p.m. I kept running my fingers through Janna's hair trying to determine what angles I should be cutting in Hannah's hair and then finally put the scissors to work. When we were all done at 11 p.m. Hannah was very happy and even commented that it turned out better than she thought I could do!

Summer Camping

2009-07-13T23:35:00.026-06:00

SUMMER is the time to go camping.

So far this summer we have gone camping at Manti Community (June 18-20) and Granite Flats(June 28) campgrounds. They were both fun filled days with friends and family. It has become a tradition to go with several families from the nieghborhood like the Hurst, the Farrers, the Daniels, the Williams, the Crimans, the Wrights and this year the Stewards joined in too.

What I like best about camping is the laying around and doing nothing

or cooking and eating great food (this year I've tried my hand at dutch oven lasagna & dutch oven pork and pototoes).

or playing games
or if you were lucky enough, riding 4 wheelers

and the best part of camping is goofing around and hanging out with great friends.

Even if that means you have to do it in the rain sometimes!

Birthday for Me and You and You

2009-06-30T00:20:00.018-06:00

Well it just wouldn't be June if we didn't mention all the BIRTHDAY fun that we had!

I celebrated my BIRTHDAY with a this amazing cake made by Denell. She surprised me and brought it to my work. The children made me breakfast and a fabulous dinner and we had a great time together.

We celebrated Chris's (May 31) and Lizzy's (June 3) BIRTHDAY several days in a row.

But the main party was a swim party followed by indivual strawberry shortcakes and presents.

We don't want to forget Kiyomi's (June 12) BIRTHDAY, although we didn't get to celebrate it here since she is in D.C. this summer.

Annual Trip to the Gardens

2009-06-29T23:24:00.011-06:00

One of my favorite things to do each year is visit Thanksgiving Point Gardens with Molly. This has become a tradition now. We just walk through the paths of the garden visiting with each other and pointing out intriguing flowers. I always come away with a new idea for my own flower beds. Below are a few of our favorite for this year.

Rescue Nursery at our House

2009-05-24T21:18:00.005-06:00

The other day, I rescued 4 Killdeer eggs. A nesting couple had laid their eggs just 4 inches from my office parking lot curb. We took great care not to park in their spot and to watch out for them. But last Monday, to our surprise, hired help came in to replace the sprinkles and moved the nest out of their way. The poor nesting couple screamed all morning and were unable to find there nest just a few hundred yards away. By early afternoon they gave up and we didn't see them again. I brought the eggs home in hopes to incubate them--a pretty impossible task but it was better than letting them die in the cold night air.

What I didn't realize is that this would start a rescue mission. First Hannah became very concern over a baby robin she found out of the nest. Her friend and her tried to put the baby back into the nest but were unsuccessful. By nightfall, her worried little heart brought her back to the baby robin to find that it was still stranded. She begged to save it from the neighborhood cats and I gave in.

Next, Lizzy recued a baby sparrow from her dad's home. Apparently the wind broke the branch where the nest had rested and only one of four baby sparrows survived.

We have set up warm homes for the birds and at first they were very difficult to feed, but now they open their mouths when we offer food. It is very time consuming as they need to be fed several time a day. But, Lizzy and Hannah have been very good at making the food and getting them fed. I just don't know what I will do if the four Killdeer eggs hatch!

End of Violin

2009-05-24T21:02:00.003-06:00

After playing the violin for 3 years, Chris decides to put it away. He is pictured here at his last orchestra concert at Pleasant Grove Jr High.

Just a bunch of crazy orchestra friends having fun...

Ben turns 20

2009-05-24T19:49:00.007-06:00

We celebrated Ben's birthday last Sunday, after he came back from Las Vegas. It was fun to have my sister Denell and her family and my brother Daniel and his family over for a family get together. There was lots of food and family talk.
Ben you have grown so much over the last year. I love you so much and wish you the best in the pursuit of your dreams for the next few years to come.

BEN, Benevolent, Bold, Brilliant, Blessed, Buddy, Brother, BrAvE.

Dont you just love his birthday hat from his sincere sister Kiyomi!

Manila Chior

2009-05-01T18:18:00.008-06:00

Hannah joined the choir this year and they just ended the year out with a choir preformance at Manilla Elementary. She learned a lot of fun songs, like "Heros" and "Hope the Teacher Doesn't Pick Me". The choir was her favorite after school activity because she got to sing with her best friends, Emily (above),
Janna (top center) and Brooklyn (right).

Bipolar Weather

2009-04-18T23:08:00.015-06:00

Chris says our weather is Bipolar. After waking up to 8 inches of snow on April 16th, Im begining to believe him. What is Bipolar weather, you ask...

Bipolar weather, also known as sun-snow illness, is a climate disorder that causes unusual shifts in the weather's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that a season goes through, the symptoms of bipolar weather are severe. They can result in damaged trees, poor job or school performance, and even bewilderment. But there is good news: bipolar weather can't last forever.

Our ornamental plum tree had just reached full bloom in the gorgeous sunny spring weather we were having when the weather conditions swung to the cold side. The pink blossoms draped in the white glistening snow were very beautiful. You can almost see them in the pictures.

The weight of the snow has damaged several limbs in the tree and I will have to take a saw to it as soon as I find a few spare moments.

As a side note, today was recorded as the warmest day of the year. Another swing in the weather's mood!

Rain, Snow or Shine

2009-04-13T00:07:00.005-06:00

Rain, Snow or Shine the game goes on! Chris is playing soccer this year with the Pleasant Grove Vikings Freshman team. He has just finished the first 3 of 10 games.

Number 20 seems to be a good number for our family or perhaps Chris is just extremely proud of his older brother.

Here is a shot of the first game played as snow fell. It was only 35 degrees outside. Very cold. The team played very well for a first game against a much larger athletes. They kept up but lost in the end.

The second game was played at home on our brand new field, in the sunshine. Score a win for the Vikings. What a great game!

But the game saturday was played in the pelting rain. And we couldn't even score a goal.
Here's the drenched discouraged team coming off the field.

Randy's Birthday

2009-04-05T22:18:00.018-06:00

It just wasn't that long ago that this boy of mine was just born.

It has truly been amazing to watch him grow up to be the man he is now.

I could not be happier for the growth that he has made.

I am one very proud mommy.

Things I love about Cubby/Jens/Randy.

10. His sense of adventure and intrigue in the small creatures of the earth.

9. His tender heart and sensitivity to the spirit

8. His playful nature

7. His genuine testimony of Jesus Christ

6. His knack to co-operate with others

5. His dedication to the things he loves

4. His capacity to tackle challenges

3. His diligence in doing whats right

2. His love for his brothers and sisters

And number 1 thing I love about Randy is his magnificent wife who compliments him in every way.

Happy Birthday Son!

Spring is Officially Here

2009-03-15T18:37:00.010-06:00

Yesterday was actually warm enough that the first Daffodil burst open in our yard! It was a welcome surprise to come home to. The violets have been peeking through the dead leaves for a few days now but adding the yellow contrast is just striking.
Spring is my favorite time of year. Yeah a new birth, another beginning and all the good things associated with life coming forth, but even more than that it means work. The yard is just begging to have me come and clean it up -- pull away all the old dead leaves, trim up the over growth, fertilize and prepare the flower beds. Work is a good thing least you thought I was being sarcastic. Though I dread work and pull the blinds close when I notice it out in the yard, in an odd sort of way, I love it too. There is something masterful about creating and watching things grow and knowing I had a part in it. There is fulfillment in the persistent effort; there is the simple manifestation of God when working with nature.

Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success.
--David O. McKay

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE...

2009-03-08T21:40:00.007-06:00

I love to see the temple is not only our favorite family devotional song but now one of our favorite mottos. We loved seeing the Draper open house together on Wednesday, March 4. This makes 3 open houses that I have been a participant in--the Jordan River, the Timpanogos and now the Draper (I was part of the building of the San Deigo temple but came back to Utah before the official open house).

An open house is amazing and very eye opening event to the organizational capabilities of the church. Can you imagine what it takes to build a major building that contains stone from France and wood from Africa and the best of the best coming from all over? Can you imagine what it takes to present the completed building to thousands of people in an orderly and uplifting manner? I was truly amazed at all the volunteers, the program that introduced the temple, the organized manner in which we were bussed to the temple, the live music and refreshments, not to mention the indescribable beauty of the temple itself.

I loved being in the temple and feeling of its power and protection, a sanctuary on the hillside. It was a beautiful sight to see the temple glow as the night sky darkened around it. I hope that my children felt the same spirit there as I did and will want to return when they can.

Molly is 21!

2009-03-01T21:28:00.017-07:00

How remarkable and startling, my Molly has turned 21!

I still recall so vividly how tiny she was and how I wished she would just start walking. Now I wish she was still at home.

Molly I love you so very much and am so glad to have you as my daughter.

Molly is INCREDABLY talented, VERY artistic, AMAZINGLY spiritural and EXCEEDILING good.

Molly is AWFULLY kind, she has a gentle love for everyone and TREMENDOUSLY fun to be around.

Molly I hope you will find all your deams in the years ahead, have a profound enjoyment of life and all it has to offer you and continue developing the person you are. Be true to yourself and remember we are all EXTREEMLY fortunate to have you in our lives.

SNOW DAY

2009-02-18T23:10:00.010-07:00

Fun in the snow was how we spent our President's Day vacation. Thanks to the Strattons we had a fun cousin sleep over then hit the sledding hills for a few hours of fun.

Chris, Lizzy and Hannah brought their snow boards and the Strattons brought the sleds.

180 practice was the challenge for Chris. He's amazing! Uncle Jason got some good video we hope to see real soon.

Braving the turn. Lizzy is getting better all the time and really enjoyed the coaching she got from Aunt Denell, since mom knows nothing about the sport! (oops once again no pictures of mom, but she really was there)

Helping Hand from Chris made Hannah's first snow boarding attempt a success! She did pretty well and only landed a few times on her behind.

Final touch I think we have started a new tradition, Denell and Delayne made the best home made Navajo tacos and scones. We all went home with a full stomach and lots of memories.

2009-02-01T13:45:00.002-07:00

Mugwump
Pronunciation: ('mug wump)
A person who remains aloof from controversial issues.

Here is a new word with a little extra meaning for me. Elder Robert Hales spoke to our stake last night and today at stake conference. Last nights meeting was especially touching to me. He spoke so personable that I felt as if I were the only one present to hear this great teacher. While he touched on many topics as he spoke from his heart, he introduced us to the word "mugwump", a person sitting on the fence with his mug on one side and his wump on the other. "There were no mugwumps in heaven, no mugwumps came to earth!" he exclaimed. We are here because we knew it was where we wanted to be.

This archetypal American word derives from the Algonquian dialect of Native Americans in Massachusetts. In their language, it meant “war leader”. The Puritan missionary John Eliot used it in his translation of the Bible into their language in 1663 to convey the English words duke, officer and captain.
Mugwump was brought into English in the early nineteenth century as a humorous term for a boss, bigwig, grand panjandrum, or other person in authority, although often one of a minor and inconsequential sort. This example comes from a story in an 1867 issue of Atlantic Monthly: “I’ve got one of your gang in irons — the Great Mugwump himself, I reckon — strongly guarded by men armed to the teeth; so you just ride up here and surrender”.
It hit the big time in 1884, during the presidential election that set Grover Cleveland against the Republican James G Blaine. Some Republicans refused to support Blaine, changed sides, and the New York Sun labelled them little mugwumps. Almost overnight, the sense of the word changed to turncoat. Later, it came to mean a politician who either could not or would not make up his mind on some important issue, or who refused to take a stand when he was expected to do so. Hence the old joke that a mugwump is a person sitting on the fence, with his mug on one side and his wump on the other.
There is also a slangy sense — less known these days, I believe — of a person who has been persuaded by his possession of a minor official position into a sense of self-importance, often becoming obnoxious as a result.
World Wide Words is copyright © Michael Quinion, 1996–2009.

Reading the Twilight Series

2009-01-06T21:50:00.004-07:00

At 12:12 a.m. this morning I accomplished what most of you finished six months ago --Breaking Dawn. I had planned to start it during the Thanksgiving holidays but couldn't find the time, knowing I would need at least 4 evenings. So I put it off until Christmas, but again I found no time as I was engaged in family and friends. With resolve, I opened it up New Year's day and drowned in it's magic every night before falling off to sleep.

Funny though, at 12:13 am, I wasn't tired. I shed a tear for the touching love Bella finally was able to share with her eternal mate. I was busy thinking about what it is going to be like when I have my flawless, graceful, indisputably beautiful body. I savored the idea that I, too, was going live forever with my eternal mate. I thought about the human Bella and it intrigued me that she didn't fully realize what an amazing soul she was until after her transformation. I wondered what talents I came to earth with that I am so unaware of. Would it be possible that I could develop some of these gifts here on earth, metaphorically extending my shield and learning to developing it, or will I just have to wait until I'm resurrected to realize what an amazing soul I am?

2009-01-01T18:26:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2008-12-28T20:41:00.001-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMASwishing you the best and sending our love!

Christmas Sevice Project

2008-12-25T11:00:00.010-07:00

Lizzy decided to do a service project this year for Christmas and before we knew it the whole family was involved. She decided that she had too many stuffed animals and would like to share them with children who might not have as much as her. Our first thought was to give them to the children in the hospital on Christmas eve. Then Lizzy found an article on the children at the local Crisis Nursery.

The decision was made on December 3rd to collect teddy bears and stuffed animals for the Crisis Nursery. Lizzy decided that she could get her friends involved and collect 500 stuffed animals for these children. The project began slowly. Here the girls are pictured with 34 animals on December 7th

Here is a picture of the girls with 64 stuffed animals on Dec 10 2008.

By December 15 the girls had over 150 stuffed animals

The first batch of 253 were delivered to Bank of American Fork. We were amazed at the amount of stuffed animals there. They were on the floor, the desks and chairs, the shelving, and even perched from the ceiling ledges. Lizzy and Hannah were interviewed by KSL news, that was exciting for Hannah but nerve racking for Lizzy. All the way back to school, Hannah and Lizzy talked about the possibility of being on the news. The girls were briefly shown and mentioned on the 7 o'clock news. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5110352

Congradulations! They collected over 275 stuffed animals for the Project Teddy Bear

We did it!

2008-11-19T21:23:00.005-07:00

Tonight we finished the Book of Mormon again. Hooray for us!! We have been reading it together every morning and every night just for a few minutes right after family prayers. This routine has worked well for the children. Also, starting in September we decided to memorize a scripture each month. So far we have Helaman 5:12 and Ether 12:41 memorized.

Wedding Cake Done

2008-11-16T20:22:00.005-07:00

Halloween This Year

2008-11-16T09:41:00.012-07:00

Halloween at our house was lots of fun this year..oops we werent at our house, guess the Jack-O'lanterns were having fun at our house. Hannah and Lizzy had a great time tick-or-treating the neighborhoods with their friends while Mom ran between the two groups making sure everyone was safe and having fun and occassionally checked in on Chris who was hanging with the youth at the bishop's home. By the end of the night we met Aunt Deone and Uncle Jay at our home and compared candy stashes.

Great mask Chris purchased, mainly to scare the dog! And get a few jumps out of Mom and the girls.

Giselle (from WaltDisney's Enchanted) tried to find her hansome prince, but he was nowhere to be found!

Hannah is dressed as "Pebbles." Finding a bone for her hair was not as easy as you think. After looking at every possible store we went to Pets Mart and bought a $10 dog bone. Considering that I made the whole costume for $10 that was quite the purchase.

Hannah says this is her favorite costume so far.

2006

2008

Here is Lizzy as a pirate. It was a redo of a costume from a few years ago. She was going to be a fairy until her friend anounced she was going to be one too! So at the last moment she was scrambling for ideas. Hope you love the comparison! I am amazed at how much she has grown in just two years.

Hannah and Volleyball

2008-11-02T21:39:00.010-07:00

Hannah decided to play volleyball this season. She says it is her new favorite sport. It has been a lot of fun to see her learn how to play. With a great couch and lots of practice with her friend Emily, she has become quit good. These are some shots of her second to last game of the season, the only game they lost this year.

Way to go Hannah!

Baby Blessing in Idaho

2008-10-12T20:26:00.008-06:00

The first weekend in October, Ben and Mom got to go to Idaho to see the blessing of Dehn and Ashley's newest addition, Parks.

It was very special for me to hold baby Parks, since Dehn had lived with us and been a part of our lives for so long, Parks felt like he was part of me too.

The day was filled with lots of family and food and good times.

Ben and little Parks fell fast asleep after a good meal

Yellowstone Weekend

2008-09-14T19:33:00.028-06:00

Let me tell you about our wonderful weekend up in Island Park, Id. Aunt Denell and Uncle Jason invited us to spend some time at their Groberg Family cabin. It was the perfect fall weather and crisp air. We had a great time. It was so nice to get away and spend time outdoors. Always brings back memories from my childhood camping and hiking days. I loved being with the 3 young children, Denell's family, Daniel's family and Aunt Donna.

(Yes, Uncle Jason positioned Chris exactly in that spot!!)

Saturday we spent exploring and feeding the fish at Big Springs. Jason threw bread to the ducks to distract them so the rest of us could focus on the large trout righ under the bridge.

We also took the little hike to see the cabin made all by hand by the short man (can't rememer his name right now).

Sunday was spent in Yellowstone Park after attending church in Island Park. I thought it was so beautiful in the park. We all kept a look out for the wild life and ended up seeing moose, elk, buffalo, deer, coyate, and even a wolf, but no bear. Lizzy was our photographer of wildlife and enjoyed jumping from the car to get a picture now and then.

We ate lunch at Old Faithful and patiently waited to see the geyser blow. Aunt Donna was with us, and she doesn't ever recall seeing it as a child so it was lots of fun to watch her enjoy the spray.

The children had lots of fun fishing the stream just behind the cabin. Lizzy caught two little fish, Hannah caught one little fish and Chris got lots of bites from all the big fish. Mom had fun holding the bait and snapping pictures.

Monday after cleaning the cabin we traveled home. Just outside of Twin Falls we stopped and hiked to these waterfalls. The visitor's center there had a great display of bears and a movie about them in Yellowstone. So even though we didn't see any real ones we had our bear experience.

I asked Chris if he had ever climbed a haystack. He didn't believe me that they are really really spiky, so we pulled over and Chris and Hannah climbed the stack. Guess mom isn't just a whoose after all!

Just as Monday night was coming to an end we stopped at Dehn and Ashley's to see their new home.

Washington Lake Neighborhood Campout

2008-08-03T20:02:00.032-06:00

Here is the trip we have been looking forward to since the beginning of spring. It turned out wonderful and I'm sure will be a trip we will always remember. The Hurst family reserved a group site for the neighborhood at Washington Lake in the Unitas. Camping began on July 31 and ended on Aug 3.

The group consisted of 15 adults, 12 youth and 16 children (Jones, Wright, Allred, Farrer, Hurst, Daniel, Criman and William (missing)Families)

The most amazing part was to interact with everyone and to have the youth be together.

The children kept us all busy as their personalities and ages were varied and unique!

Raeann's talent for hair braiding was a big hit with the girls.

Hannah and Elizabeth had their hair done as well as several other girls.

Every night we gathered at the camp fire and had fun. This was the last night at camp. We ate Jen and Bill's chocolate cherry dutch oven cake and sang lots of songs from primary favorites to the silly ones. My favorite being "A Child's Prayer." We all roared with laughter when the teenagers popped out of their seats for "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam." We had no idea Colten could jump so high! The night was not complete until Brother Criman entertained us with his famous rendition of "The Jaberwalkie."

Many hours were spent playing card games in the tents, in the trailer, and on the group tables. The kids even put together a kick ball game and a softball game in the meadow.

The group ended up with 6 trailers and 6 tents. Here Lizzy and Hannah with Cammie and Janna are standing in front of their tent. The older girls had a tent of their own too. The boys had one tent for the young teen boys and one for the older boys. We will all agree that the older boys won the prize for creativity (if there had been one). Their tent had a wind sock and two camp stools in front, with a stone fence surrounding the border and a small garden in back. Way to go boys!

Mom and Hannah had fun exploring the meadow. We also went hiking by the lake in search for frogs. We came home with 4 frogs.

One of the funnest activities of the trip was the time spent at Provo Falls. Mom forgot to take the camera the first day at the falls and then didn't have any batteries the second day. We all got wet in the freezing cold water. The girls had fun riding the rapids on their behinds and some of the bigger braver kids actually went into the rushing water and found coves to stand in behind the falls.

These pictures were taken on our way home. We will have to get copies from the other families of all the fun here.

The other highlight of the campout was the time spent at the lake.

The water was cold but it didn't stop the kids from jumping in.

The rubber tube was made into a boat ride and Lizzy made sure even the toddlers (not shown) got to ride the boat out on the lake.

how hannahs doing

2008-07-27T22:06:00.004-06:00

HI EVERY ONE IM NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY.... BUT I GUESS I WILL SAY SOMTHING! HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our visit to Sea World and California

2008-07-26T15:38:00.009-06:00

Last week, July 19th, Mom, Chris, Lizzy and Hannah had the opportunity to go to Sea World together (Austin Larsen and Bill Hoffman came too). We had lots of fun, but sure were tired of walking by the end of the day.

Hannah enjoyed the whale show the best and Lizzie wants to become a dolphin trainer.

The kids had fun playing on the ropes and bouncing on upright trampolines. Mom even tried it!

We started the day out by going straight to the rides. This worked out really well because we just walked on in the morning. By the afternoon we had to wait in line a little and then by evening the line was 45 min. long. Hannah wanted to ride one more time before we left the park but that was just too long for mom to wait.

Mom's Thoughts

2008-03-30T16:15:00.001-06:00

This is a test to see what I am doing. As you all know I have been trying to do a family news letter each quarter just to keep everyone in touch. It became too big of a file to keep emailing out so I thouhgt that I would try my hand at blogging. We will see. Hope you all will read and post and keep in touch as the family grows and moves away.